Monday, November 17, 2008

October Update

This update is long overdue.  I'm sorry for not being good about updating!  I will be sure to do better in the future.



 
     October was a busy but really fun month.  The weekend of the 17-19 was our NYC Metro Fall Retreat.  Around 90 students and staff all trucked up to beautiful Warwick, NY, and enjoyed a weekend of rest, fellowship, and learning with the theme of “A Hero’s Heart”.  Our speaker, Holly Shelden, shared with the students what it means to live a life devoted to the kingdom of God.  The weekend was really helpful for students to reestablish their goals for ministry on campus.

    This month I got to visit the Campus Christian Fellowship at Marist College for the first time.  The student leaders (Jordie, Janice, Monique, and Victoria) are all super excited to be discipled them and get leadership training.  The CCF has a weekly Bible study and regular campus outreaches and prayer walks.  Please pray that God would orchestrate lots of great gospel conversations as they take part in an interfaith discussion with the other religious clubs at Marist later this semester.   

The Wagner Christian Fellowship is also planning an interfaith event.  They will be having a 30-Hour Famine in February, and are inviting the Catholic Club, Hillel (Jewish club), and Middle Eastern Students Club to join them for 30 hours of fasting and prayer.  (30-Hour Famine is an international event organized by World Vision to raise awareness and money to end child hunger in the world).  This has the potential to be a powerful tool for building bridges between these clubs on campus, and presents the opportunity to have great spiritual conversations. I can’t wait to see how God uses it!

     The WCF has been having a weekly small group meeting with a few members of the Catholic club on campus to talk about spiritual issues, study scripture, and grow in their faith together. They group has been growing and there is increasing interest in small groups of this type on campus. They are considering starting a second group to bring more people into the discussions.  Praise God for this partnership!

      This month Josh will be going on a mission trip to Mexico with his father, we have a regional staff conference just before Thanksgiving, and the team at Wagner has a Thanksgiving outreach planned.  Thank you for your prayers and your partnership in the gospel!  Please let me know how I can pray for you this month.  Laura.LaRock@uscm.org